The swaying column
Moves in the wind but stands.
Askii — CC BY 3.0 · Mohammad hajeer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mohammad hajeer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mohammad hajeer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · IGEO map — CC BY-SA 4.0
The temple of Artemis, patron goddess of Gerasa, built in the mid-2nd century AD on the highest point of the city. Eleven Corinthian columns of its portico still stand some 13 metres tall, visible from far off above the ruins. Reaching it was a deliberate journey: from the colonnaded street you passed through a monumental carved gateway, the propylaeum, then climbed a broad stairway in stages to a wide open courtyard with the temple on a high podium in the middle, revealed little by little as you rose. The guides' favourite story is that one column sways slightly in the wind without falling; they slip a spoon or a key into the crack at its base so visitors can watch it move. The design absorbs shocks, and has carried the column through earthquakes for centuries. The North Theatre is next door and there is a fine view along the colonnaded street; the temple is usually quieter than the Oval Plaza.
Moves in the wind but stands.
The carved gateway from the Cardo.
A view over the whole city.
West of the colonnaded street, north-central ancient Jerash
JerashOne of the most complete Roman cities surviving outside Italy, and the thing tha1 minute walk4.7
Nymphaeum (Jerash)Jerash's largest public fountain, dedicated to the nymphs in 191 AD. It rises on2 minutes walk
Oval Plaza and Colonnaded Street (Jerash)Jerash's most famous view: a broad egg-shaped plaza about 90 metres long, ringed6 minutes walk
South Theatre (Jerash)Jerash's largest and finest theatre, built in the late 1st century AD under Empe7 minutes walk
Arch of Hadrian (Jerash)A huge Roman triumphal gateway with three arches, raised by the people of Gerasa13 minutes walkThe Greek goddess of the hunt, and the patron goddess of Gerasa, so the city built her its largest temple on its highest point.
Yes. It moves slightly in the wind, and guides put a spoon in the crack at its base so you can see it clearly.